By Stephanie Loder
Ed Hackett and Hank Martinelli smiled as they watched the city’s fire department take a place in the history books with a 100-year celebration.
They had reason to enjoy the moment.
Hackett, a former Northfield deputy fire chief, and Martinelli, a former Northfield fire chief, were on the job for more than half of that 100 years.
They witnessed a lot, after joining in 1968.
They helped negotiate a deal for the land on Burton Avenue from the city for the fire department.
“We acquired the property. That was in our day,” said Hackett, who remained active until three years ago and served as an arson investigator in Atlantic County.
They were involved in building the new fire station.
The city sold the land to the fire company for $1 in the late 1970s to build Station 2, which was the new firehouse and training area, Hackett said.
A lot has changed for firefighters in the last century, they added – let alone just in the last 50 years.
When firefighters responded to a call in the 1960s and 1970s, turnout gear was “first come, first serve,” Hackett said.
There were only four air packs for the entire company, he said.
Today, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) requires all firefighters to respond to calls with proper gear.
The Northfield Fire Department celebrated the big anniversary with a ceremony on the last weekend in September at the Northfield Firehouse on Burton Avenue.
Northfield Mayor Erland Chau lauded the city firefighters for a job well done.
“I want to wish the fire department congratulations. And thank you very much for your service and dedication, which makes our city safer,” Chau said during a special event at the firehouse on Burton Avenue.
Fire Captain Brian J. Flaherty, chairman of the anniversary committee, called putting together the 100th celebration “a challenge.”
There was a parade, trophies for best fire trucks, speeches, and food.
They also celebrated with the addition of a new ladder truck that arrived in August.
Ladder 63 is being dedicated in memory of Eustace “Jake” Eggie and Robert C. Leeds, both members of the department for more than 50 years.
Both men passed away in 2023.
Eggie held the distinction of being the longest-serving member of the Northfield Volunteer Fire Company, serving for 65 of the company’s 99 years.
Leeds served his community for over 50 years and, for many of those years, he held the position of deputy chief.
The decision to dedicate Ladder 63 to Eggie and Leeds was unanimously approved by fire company members in September at their regular monthly meeting.
The City Council approved a resolution making the dedication official on the municipal level.
“You can’t celebrate 100 years without looking back at the 99 years before,” Flaherty said. “The men who came before us are the reason this celebration is happening today.”
“I don’t think anything is more fitting than to dedicate it these two,” Flaherty said.
The celebration, said Northfield Fire Chief Brian Cummings, was only possible because of the work of “a small group of brave individuals who came together to protect this community.”
“They carved the foundation for what would become a legacy,” Cummings said. “This new fire truck is a symbol of the future.”
A plaque was ordered and will be affixed to the pump panel to commemorate the dedication.
The fire department turned the next century of recognition over to young firefighters.
“I don’t think any of us will be here in the next 100 years. It’s now up to the next generation to do for us what we have just done,” Flaherty said.
Photos by Stephanie Loder
Stephanie is a freelance writer with 40 years experience covering NJ news for The Asbury Park Press, The Courier Post, The Catholic Star Herald and The Press of AC. Email her at stephanieloder59@hotmail.com
